Canadian White Bears - Spirit Bears

Things have been quite busy lately.  Apart from the time organising the logistics to follow the Tasmania Devil Task Force, I’ve spent 9 days photographing the Komode Black Bear (Ursus americanus kermodei).  The Komode black bear is also known as the Spirit Bear and broadly speaking is a black bear with a white coat.  The white colouring of the fur is caused by a genetic shift.

I was based on a 72 foot yacht and travelled from Bella Bella to Prince Rupert stopping at one of a few known Spirit Bear locations.  The salmon were running and I was able to observe at close quarters several individuals whilst they fished, slept and dined upon salmon.  The salmon migrate annually upstream from the ocean to spawn and then die.  This "spread of salmon" provides long sort after protein for numerous animals and actually forms the basis for the ecosystem.  Although weather conditions were rainy on several days, the low cloud, mist and rain added to the mystic of the bears as they moved along the stream edges in search of salmon.

At one stage I had a Sprit Bear “spirit” himself behind me to come out along the stream only 3 meters (10 feet) from my shooting location – I wonderful experience to be able to see this majestic creature up close and personal.  At times like these, unless I am actually shooting, I just stop and watch and take in the experience.

I was hoping to also be able to observe Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles and Pine Martins, however, I failed to observe them in the numbers seen on earlier trips to this area.  Despite this, Coastal Brown Bears and inland Brown Bears (Grizzlies) were observed on several occasions along with the Black Bear. 

The region in which I was photographing is spectacular; precipitous glacial topped mountains, deep fiords and miles upon upon miles are unlogged virgin temperate rainforest.  The float plane which I took from the yacht back to Price Rupert at the completion of my trip, flew over some absolutely amazing scenery - scenery that has to be experienced to be believed.  The float plane bush pilots that fly you into some of these areas are some of the best in the world - and when your flying a few meters from rocky outcrops on each side of the wing your glad  they know what there doing!

The waters in this area of Canada are exceptionally deep and the bottom drops away to immense depths very close to the shore.  The deep water and schools of small fish attract Humpback Whales that are frequently seen breeching and feeding.  The deepness of the water is due to the region being glaciated in a past geological epoch.

The image at left was taken in the early morning when there was a low lying fog.  We had been in the zodiac patrolling along the stream-ocean verge when we saw a brown bear and cub meandering accross the seaweed beds at low tide.  The low lying fog gives the image a sereal look to it and the interaction between the mother bear and cub was wonderful to watch.  This bear and its cub worked their way along the seaweed bed searching for slamon on which to feed.  The mother was keen on catching some fish, however, the cub just wanted to play - after a short time playing the mother bear decided enough is enough and paw swiped the youngster to settle him/her down.  Pity I missed that shot!  Lesson number one - NEVER stop looking through the viewfinder no matter how cold, miserable and sore you are, because as soon as you do, the action will happen and you will miss it!

The close up of the coastal brown bear was taken from the zodiac about 20 feet from the bear.  The bear was more interested in feeding on a salmon he had caught than feeding on me - but with all wild creatures it's best never to get too close as to be within there personal space.  As you can see from ther eyes, I was about as close as you can get without actually annoying this fellow - the eye says it all "get closer & I'll get pissed with you"